De Anza College, California History Center

De Anza College, California History Center

From its beginnings in the 1970s as a clearinghouse for student local history projects, the library of the California History Center has participated in a vigorous expansion of awareness of Santa Clara Valley’s and California’s past, present, and future. Research papers, taped oral histories, clippings and photograph archives form the core of a collection now enlarged by donations of fine books, periodicals and archival materials on regional and state history and issues.

Collections at this institution

The California History Center collection includes images of historical interest of Santa Clara County with emphasis on the western Santa Clara Valley, especially the municipalities of Cupertino, Saratoga and Los Gatos, and San José. Nineteenth and early to mid-twentieth century agricultural, and transportation history, education and urban life are portrayed in visual images from the general photo collection, the Charles Fuller family scrapbook collection, the Charlie Baer photo collection, a postcard file and ephemeral items. Cupertino farming families such as the Merithew and Dunbar families, Charlie Baer's automobiles and business activities, local churches, and Cupertino and north county schools are ...